On the evening of January 11, 2009, in Norfolk, Nebraska, an enthusiastic audience welcomed Miss Sandhills, Meagan Winings, as the new Miss Nebraska USA 2009. Meagan was born and raised in Atkinson, Nebraska. The 23-year-old is a graduate of Pepperdine University and now attends law school in Chicago, where she is in her first year. Meagan is working toward her J.D. in the hopes of eventually becoming involved in International Law and human rights issues. She is a 1L representative of Phi Alpha Delta and is a member of both the Chicago Advocates and Women in Law. In addition, Meagan is an editor on the Journal of International and Comparative Law. This summer, she will be working at one of the most respected personal injury law firms in Chicago, Cooney and Conway. Meagan has also been actively involved with the Open Door Mission, the Special Olympics and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. In her free time, Meagan enjoys working out, trying new restaurants and shopping. She loves snowboarding, jet skiing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She was Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2004 and was the first Nebraska teen to finish in the Top 10 at Miss Teen USA. Meagan is the only child of Gerald and Michelle Winings, who currently reside in Atkinson, Nebraska.

Meagan plans to use the title of Miss Nebraska USA 2009 to help raise awareness about breast cancer and to inspire hope for those currently battling the disease. Her mother is a breast cancer survivor, and as a result, Meagan knows the effect that the disease can have, not only on the individual, but on family and friends. In addition, she wants to stress the importance of leading a healthy life style and being confident in who you are. She is available for interviews, speaking engagements, emceeing events, autograph signing, or any other hosted event. She will represent Nebraska at the 2009 Miss USA Pageant this April in Las Vegas. Miss USA will be televised live on NBC.

Photo Credit: Will Patterson